Kitto, Bateman extends stay with Tigers

The 24-year-old Kitto, who is English qualified, joined Tigers in 2015 and has made 24 first-team appearances, including Saturday's Premiership win over Gloucester at Welford Road.

Kitto said: "I've felt very honoured to be part of a club as prestigious as the Leicester Tigers and to be able to represent what the club stands for as often as I have is great. I was very happy to agree a new contract and remain part of that."

Tigers head coach Aaron Mauger said: "Jono was very keen to come here and to test and challenge himself in this environment. He has a great work-ethic and desire to get better every day and is doing well.

"His recent performance against Saints in the Anglo-Welsh Cup was very sharp and is a good example of his all-round qualities as a player. Against Gloucester on Saturday I thought he had a fantastic game. He is a very good leader, he talks very well and wants to lead the people around him.

"We have a strong and competitive group of players in his position with Ben Youngs, Sam Harrison and Jono as well as good young players in Ben White and Harry Simmons, and we're very happy he has decided to stay."

Bateman also signed from Exeter Chiefs in 2015 and has made 29 first-team appearances for Tigers and etched his name in club history this season after playing in all three front-row positions for the club.

The 27-year-old Bateman said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my year-and-a-half here so far. We've got a great bunch of lads here and a good environment across the board. It's a club where everyone wants to achieve success and I want to continue to be part of that."

Mauger added: "Greg has worked hard as part of a very competitive front-row group here and has also shown his versatility and value to the squad by playing at prop and hooker in his time with Tigers. We look forward to seeing his continued development in this squad."